View source for Kōwhai Intermediate School

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox school
|name        = Kōwhai Intermediate School
|image       = Kōwhai Intermediate School gates.jpg
|caption =
|motto       =
|established = 1922
|principal   = Louise Broad
|address     = 26 Onslow Road<br/>Kingsland<br/>Auckland 1024
|coordinates = {{Coord|-36.872187|174.748562|type:edu_region:NZ|display=inline,title}}
|type        = State, Co-educational, Intermediate Years 7-8
|roll        = {{NZ school roll data|1337|y||y}} ({{NZ school roll data|||y}})
|decile      =
|MOE         = 1337
|homepage    = {{URL|https://www.kowhai.school.nz/}}
}}
'''Kōwhai Intermediate School''' is a state co-educational [[intermediate school]] located in the suburb of [[Kingsland, New Zealand|Kingsland]] in [[Auckland]], New Zealand. The school opened in October 1922, and was the first intermediate school in New Zealand.
==History==
[[File:Kowhai Junior High School opening day (1922).jpg|thumb|left|The opening day of Kowhai Junior High School]]
During the early 20th century, the borough of [[Mount Albert, New Zealand|Mount Albert]] was one of the fastest growing areas of Auckland.<ref>{{cite Q|Q117189974|page=72}}</ref> Overcrowding at Edendale School was so great that by 1918, older students at the school were moved to a temporary satellite school in St Alban's Parish Hall.<ref name="ThenandNow">{{cite Q|Q117189974|page=90-92}}</ref>
In 1920, the New Zealand Government purchased a property on Kowhai Street in [[Kingsland, New Zealand|Kingsland]] to alleviate these issues. While Kingsland residents expected the government to establish a primary school on the site, the [[Department of Education (New Zealand)|Department of Education]] decided to experiment with the facility, establishing the first [[intermediate school]] in the country.<ref name="ThenandNow"/> Intermediate schools were established as education specialists during the 1920s had begun to recognise early adolescence as a key time during development, and that this period of life needed special treatment in education.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/life-style/2885011/Choosing-the-right-road |title=Choosing the right road |date=21 September 2009 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
The school opened on 1 October 1922, under the name Kowhai Junior High School.<ref>{{cite news|via=Papers Past|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19221002.2.20 |title=A Red-Letter Day in Educational History|newspaper=[[Auckland Star]] |volume=LIII |issue=233|date=2 October 1922|page=3 |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref> 670 students arrived on the first day, even though only 600 places were available at the school.<ref name="ThenandNow"/>
A new administration block and library were constructed for the school in 2004.<ref name="Scoop"/> In 2006, the school opened a [[Samoan language]] bilingual unit, Gafoa le Ata.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7064299/Dawn-breaks-for-unit |title=Dawn breaks for unit |first=Kelsey |last=Fletcher |date=8 June 2012 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
In 2018, Kōwhai Intermediate banned students' use of social media while being students of the school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/101149318/auckland-school-tells-parents-to-ban-children-using-social-media-at-home |title=Auckland school tells parents to ban children using social media at home |first=Hannah |last=Martin |date=8 February 2012 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
==Notable alumni==
*[[Bob Harvey (mayor)|Bob Harvey]], mayor of [[Waitakere City]]<ref name="Scoop"/>
*[[Laulu Fetauimalemau Mataʻafa]], Samoan politician and the first Samoan high commissioner to New Zealand
*[[Robert Muldoon]], Prime Minister of New Zealand<ref name="ThenandNow"/>
*[[Nesian Mystik]], hip-hop group<ref name="Scoop">{{cite web|url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0403/S00051/kowhai-celebrates-new-admin-block-and-library.htm |title=Kowhai celebrates new admin. block and library |author=[[Waitakere City Council]] |date=12 March 2004 |website=Scoop |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
*[[Tigilau Ness]], activist and reggae musician<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/twelve-questions-with-tigilau-ness/4GNKEFJVEB32NWUNRP6JM74YRQ/ |title=Twelve Questions with Tigilau Ness |first=Jennifer |last=Dann |date=22 November 2016 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.kowhai.school.nz}}
{{Albert-Eden Local Board Area}}
[[Category:Intermediate schools in Auckland]]
[[Category:Albert-Eden Local Board Area]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1922]]
[[Category:1922 establishments in New Zealand]]